Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A test system, comprising: a signal processor configured to generate a plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences; a signal generator configured to supply the plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences to a corresponding plurality of RF transmitters of a device under test (DUT), wherein the RF transmitters each employ the corresponding orthogonal baseband sequence to generate a corresponding RF transmit signal on a corresponding channel among a plurality of channels of the DUT such that the RF transmitters output a plurality of orthogonal RF transmit signals at a same time; a combiner network configured to combine the plurality of orthogonal RF transmit signals and to output a single channel under test; and a single channel measurement instrument configured to receive the single channel under test and to measure independently therefrom at least one characteristic of each of the RF transmitters.
This invention relates to a test system for evaluating multiple radio frequency (RF) transmitters in a device under test (DUT) simultaneously. The system addresses the challenge of testing multiple RF transmitters operating on different channels without interference, which is critical for validating performance in multi-channel communication devices. The test system includes a signal processor that generates a plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences. These sequences are supplied to a signal generator, which distributes them to multiple RF transmitters in the DUT. Each RF transmitter uses its assigned orthogonal baseband sequence to generate an RF transmit signal on its respective channel. Because the sequences are orthogonal, the RF transmitters can operate simultaneously without mutual interference, producing multiple orthogonal RF transmit signals at the same time. A combiner network then merges these orthogonal RF transmit signals into a single channel under test. A single channel measurement instrument receives this combined signal and independently measures at least one characteristic of each RF transmitter, such as power, modulation quality, or spectral efficiency. This approach enables efficient, simultaneous testing of multiple RF transmitters using a single measurement instrument, reducing test time and complexity.
2. The test system of claim 1 , wherein the signal processor comprises at least a microprocessor and memory configured to generate a plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences.
3. The test system of claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is configured to multiply each of a plurality of baseband data sequences by a Walsh code to generate the plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences.
4. The test system of claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is configured to generate the plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM).
5. The test system of claim 1 , wherein the signal processor is configured to generate the plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences by multiplying each of a plurality of baseband data sequences by a corresponding Gold code.
6. The test system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one characteristic of each of the RF transmitters includes at least one of a power level, a bandwidth, and a distortion of the corresponding RF transmit signal generated by each of the RF transmitters.
This invention relates to a test system for evaluating radio frequency (RF) transmitters, addressing the need to assess and monitor key performance characteristics of RF signals in communication systems. The system measures and analyzes specific characteristics of RF transmitters, including power level, bandwidth, and distortion of the RF signals they generate. By evaluating these parameters, the system ensures compliance with performance standards, identifies potential signal degradation, and supports optimization of transmitter operation. The test system may be used in various applications, such as wireless communication networks, broadcasting, and signal integrity testing, to maintain reliable and high-quality RF transmissions. The ability to measure power level ensures proper signal strength, bandwidth assessment confirms signal integrity, and distortion analysis detects signal quality issues. This comprehensive evaluation helps maintain efficient and error-free RF communication.
7. The test system of claim 1 , wherein the single channel measurement instrument is a single channel signal analyzer.
8. The test system of claim 1 , wherein the signal generator is configured to sequentially supply the plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences to the corresponding plurality of RF transmitters of the DUT.
A test system for evaluating the performance of a device under test (DUT) with multiple radio frequency (RF) transmitters addresses the challenge of efficiently testing complex wireless communication devices. The system includes a signal generator that produces a plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences, which are then supplied to the DUT's RF transmitters. These sequences are designed to be orthogonal, meaning they have minimal interference with each other, allowing for precise and independent testing of each transmitter. The signal generator sequentially provides these sequences to the corresponding RF transmitters, ensuring that each transmitter is tested in isolation or in a controlled manner. This approach enables accurate assessment of the DUT's performance, including signal integrity, interference mitigation, and overall system efficiency. The system is particularly useful in validating multi-antenna or multi-transmitter devices, such as those used in advanced wireless communication technologies like 5G or MIMO systems. By leveraging orthogonal baseband sequences, the test system ensures reliable and repeatable testing conditions, improving the accuracy of performance evaluations.
9. The test system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of orthogonal baseband sequences comprising a pseudorandom bit stream.
A test system for wireless communication evaluates signal integrity by generating and analyzing test signals using orthogonal baseband sequences. The system addresses challenges in accurately assessing signal quality in complex communication environments, particularly where interference and multipath effects degrade performance. The test system includes a signal generator that produces multiple orthogonal baseband sequences, each derived from a pseudorandom bit stream. These sequences are designed to minimize interference between different signal paths, ensuring precise measurement of signal characteristics. The pseudorandom nature of the bit streams enhances the randomness and unpredictability of the test signals, which is critical for simulating real-world conditions and identifying potential vulnerabilities in communication protocols. The system further includes signal processing components that analyze the received signals, comparing them against expected values to detect errors, distortions, or other anomalies. By leveraging orthogonal sequences, the system can simultaneously test multiple signal paths without cross-interference, improving the efficiency and accuracy of the evaluation process. This approach is particularly useful in validating the performance of wireless devices under diverse operating conditions, ensuring compliance with industry standards and optimizing system reliability.
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February 9, 2021
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